You’ve just found the best outdoor fall activities in DFW!
Fall in DFW is a magical time when the weather finally cools down, and the area transforms into a playground of colors, outdoorsy adventures, festivals, and entertainment.
This is your guide for the best outdoor fall activities DFW 2024:
Explore Scenic Fall Hiking Trails
One of the best ways to experience the fall season in DFW is by hitting the trails—we are so lucky to have big city life and beautiful trails all close by! Below are a few of our favorite scenic trails that kids, grands, and everyone in between will love.
- Arbor Hills Nature Preserve (Plano): This 200-acre park offers scenic trails that wind through woodlands, creeks, and open fields. It’s a favorite among both hikers and bikers, with multiple trails suitable for families and beginners. More info can be found here.
- Cedar Ridge Preserve (Dallas): For those looking for more challenging terrain, Cedar Ridge Preserve features 9 miles of hiking trails with gorgeous views of native Texas trees, a lake, and outdoor habitats. Plan your trip here.
- River Legacy Parks (Arlington): Ideal for young families, River Legacy Parks is lined with paved trails that make it easy to navigate with strollers and tricycles. Keep an eye out for the 193 species of birds and 400 species of wildlife that call this magical place home. Get all the details here.
Get kids off the screens and out into the serene for one of our favorite outdoor fall activities in DFW 2024.
Read:
11 Places in Dallas to See Fall Colors
10 Day Trips from Dallas to See Fall Foliage
Attend Fall Festivals in DFW
No fall season is complete without attending one of DFW’s famous outdoor festivals. Make these Texas traditions part of your family’s traditions:
- DFW Fall Fest: Our FREE family-focused event hosts a variety of kid-loving entertainment options, family-related vendors, and craft markets. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a day out outside with family or friends…without having to get your hiking boots on! Get all the details here!
- State Fair of Texas (Dallas): As one of the largest and most famous fairs in the country, the State Fair of Texas is an annual tradition that offers a mix of rides, concerts, pop-ups, and legendary fair food. This event showcases everything from local art to livestock shows, embodying the big spirit of Texas in the fall, y’all!. Check our free, locally written guide to the Texas State Fair.
Check out all the Best Fall Festivals Across DFW
Visit Local Pumpkin Patches
Pumpkin patches are a quintessential fall destination that the whole family can enjoy! You’ll find more than just pumpkins; many have hayrides, corn mazes, sweet treats, and other fun attractions. We like these:
- YesterLand Farm (Canton): Take a nostalgic step back in time and have old-fashioned fun on the farm! Known for its fall festival, YesterLand Farm offers everything from pumpkin picking to carnival games, making it a great spot for kids and adults alike. Don’t forget to capture some memorable photos with the festive fall decorations. Get your tickets here.
- Autumn at the Arboretum (Dallas): The Dallas Arboretum’s Pumpkin Village is a spectacle that should not be missed. With over 100,000 pumpkins, gourds, and squash, it’s one of the most beautiful displays in the area and provides plenty of photo opportunities.
Visiting a pumpkin patch is one of the most family-friendly outdoor fall activities DFW 2024, combining fun and tradition with the perfect setting for seasonal photos and family memories!
Read:
10 Best Pumpkin Patches in DFW
Enjoy a Picnic at DFW Parks
Nothing says fall like a cozy picnic surrounded by nature’s beauty, especially when combined with local produce and homemade treats!
- White Rock Lake (Dallas): This park offers scenic views of the lake and plenty of open spaces for a picnic. It’s an excellent spot for families to relax while kids play on the playgrounds or explore nearby trails.
- Klyde Warren Park (Dallas): Located in the heart of the city, Klyde Warren Park features food trucks, live music, and plenty of picnic tables. It’s an urban oasis that combines the best of nature and city life.
Picnicking is a simple yet delightful way to enjoy outdoor fall activities DFW 2024. Make sure to stop by a family-owned store or farm to stock up on DFW-made goodness for your picnic!
Read: 8 Tasty Food Festivals for Families in DFW
Go on a Fall-Themed Bike Ride
Cycling through DFW’s bike trails during the fall is an exhilarating and delightful way to experience the season. The vibrant foliage and cooler weather create the perfect conditions for a scenic ride and feeling the wind in your hair (outside your kid’s helmet, of course).
Start here:
- Katy Trail (Dallas): This popular trail (3.5 miles) through the heart of Dallas offers a beautiful route lined with trees that turn into a stunning array of colors in the fall. It’s a great spot for casual riders, kids, and bike trailers!
- Trinity Trails (Fort Worth): For a longer ride…100+ miles if you want, Trinity Trails, which goes along the river, offers endless biking and strolling fun. It’s suitable for all skill levels and offers beautiful river views and plenty of places to stop and enjoy the scenery.
Pump up the tires and hop on for delightful outdoor fall activities DFW in 2024!
Read:
6 Scariest Haunted Houses in DFW
Visit Local Farmer’s Markets
Farmers’ markets are a fantastic way to enjoy the flavors of fall and support local farmers and artisans. These never let us down:
- Dallas Farmers Market (Dallas): This market is DFW’s go-to for fresh, organic local produce and craft goods. It’s the perfect place to find seasonal ingredients like pumpkins, apples, and squash to make your fall recipes shine.
- Coppell Farmers Market (Coppell): Known for its friendly atmosphere, the Coppell Farmers Market offers a variety of local products, from farm-fresh veggies to homemade jams and fall-themed crafts.
Exploring these markets is one of the most delicious outdoor fall activities DFW 2024, perfect for foodies and families alike.
Read:
11 of the Freshest DFW Farmers Markets For Fall
Attend an Outdoor Concert or Movie Screening
Fall evenings are ideal for enjoying outdoor concerts and movie screenings under the stars! Below are a few events that our families look forward to every year
- Levitt Pavilion (Arlington): This outdoor venue offers free concerts throughout the fall, featuring a variety of musical genres. It’s a great place to enjoy live music in a relaxed setting. Click here for the schedule, and make sure to put MOMO Festival on your calendar!
- Community Movie Nights: Many local parks and communities in DFW host outdoor movie screenings that are family-friendly and often free to attend. Bring a blanket and popcorn, and enjoy a movie under the autumn sky.
DFW’s fall season has it all, from scenic hikes and festivals to picnics and haunted houses. These outdoor fall activities in DFW 2024 are it. Comment below which ones you’re crossing off your bucket list this year!
